Australia’s 2014 Big Day Out must see acts

The weather is hot and the days are long. For Australian music lovers such as ourselves, this can only mean one thing: the Big Day Out is not far away. But with so many great acts to see in the one day, we’ve done you a favour and narrowed down the long list of bands to see to a few definites. Of course, there are the headliners (Pearl Jam and Arcade Fire), and the other big guns (The Hives, Beady Eye, Deftones, Snoop Lion and Flume), but you need to know about these up-and-comers. So grab out a crayon and get ready to scribble these names down.

Violent Soho
After wowing crowds at both Splendour In The Grass and Falls Festival, Violent Soho’s set at Big Day Out is going to be amazing. While the Brisbane four piece has been floating around for about ten years now, their third LP, Hungry Ghost, has thrown them straight into the spotlight. If you’re into bands with a bit of anger and a whole lot of cool, you cannot miss this set.

RÜFÜS
RÜFÜS are another band who have received a significant amount of attention since the release of their debut album, Atlas. Incorporating lush synths and deep house beats, these boys from Sydney are destined to set the Boiler Room into a fun loving frenzy at the Big Day Out. Keep in mind these guys opened the Boiler Room in 2012 to a rushing crowd as doors opened. Personally, I’d be at the stage very early.

The 1975
The 1975 are a bit of a new discovery for us but we’re totally addicted to their poppy hooks and sensibly indie guitar riffs. Their sound stretches from brooding rock to thumping electronica. Oh, and they are the perfect make out band, so you best be bringing a friend or finding one in the crowd.

Major Lazer
While Major Lazer (the dancehall project of American producer Diplo) is hardly an up-and-comer, they are the band that we are most excited to see grace the stage during Big Day Out. Full of blow up signage, hampster balls, horns and live dancers, Major Lazer’s live performances have been heralded as some of the funnest going in recent years. Don’t believe us? Take a look for yourself at their 2013 Coachella performance.

About the author

Cormack is a Melbourne based freelance writer and photographer. He loves to travel, drink red wine, and spin records. On the weekends you’ll most likely find him eating pork buns or shaking up cocktails for his friends.